Norbert B. Stamps Jr.

Norbert B. Stamps Jr., 65, of Old Coach Road, Charlestown, RI, passed away on Monday, September 27, 2021 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA. Born on March 15, 1956 in Providence, RI, he was the husband of Patricia A. (Eastman) Stamps and the son of the late Norbert B. Sr. and Margaret (O’Neil) Stamps.

At age 13, Norbert was fishing for striped bass with his father in Narragansett Bay and hooked something quite heavy with his fishing pole. At the end of the line was a lobster trap completely full of lobsters. From that moment on, he knew he wanted to be a fisherman. That winter he was in his basement building lobster traps. He then started to build a 26 foot skiff in the family’s backyard on Lennon Street in Providence which was completed upon graduating Our Lady of Providence High School (OLP) in 1974. He became a full time commercial lobsterman. During his career he owned several 40 ft boats, owned his pride and joy 75 ft boat named after his two oldest boys, Brendan and Kevin, and was partners with Jay and David Gallup running an 80 ft boat.

Norbert loved the sea, followed a passion for adventure and wherever he traveled always moved forward without fear, without regret, without hesitation. Norbert was an incredible Captain and a strong advocate of collaborative research and passionate about preserving the lobster fishing industry. He held various posts in his career including President of the RI Lobstermen’s Association, VP of the Atlantic Offshore Lobster Association, speaker and panelist at the Maine Fisherman’s Forum, and Board member of the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation. As acting President of the RI Lobstermen's Association, he founded the annual RI Lobster Festival that ran for 3 seasons.  Norbert worked with Senators Chaffee and Pell submitting legislation for regulations concerning National Marine Fisheries.

Many in the industry call him a remarkable, one-of-a-kind man, with a huge personality and an even bigger heart of gold. Norbert always loved meeting new people, making a connection, finding common ground, and especially making them laugh. His last major accomplishment was testifying and being instrumental in getting law passed in Rhode Island in July 2021 that prohibits anyone from intentionally releasing 10 or more helium or other lighter-than-air balloons outdoors.

Norbert loved spending time with his family and grandchildren at his home in Charlestown which he called Stamps' Camp. The property at one time had chickens, ducks, peacocks, geese, and rabbits. He deeply loved his TV star dog Chumley and his current dog Veranious.

Besides his wife Patricia, Norbert is survived by three sons; Brendan Stamps, Kevin Stamps, Eric Stamps, two daughters; Ashia Newhouse and her husband Derek and Amanda Cassan and her husband Adam, two brothers; Neil Stamps and John Stamps and his wife Priscilla and four grandchildren; Olivia Stamps, Makayla Newhouse, Natalie Newhouse and Finn Dyer.

There will be a Celebration of Life service for Norbert (TBD)

For online condolences please visit www.gortonmenardfuneralhome.com